Epsom salt is a common name for magnesium sulfate and Epsom salts, which are magnesium compounds that can be found naturally on the earth or produced synthetically. Epsom salt comes from the town of Epsom, England, where it was first mined in antiquity. Today, it is most often used as an ingredient in bath products and foot soaks. In addition, Epsom salt is a naturally occurring mineral found in many hot springs worldwide. In addition to its use as a bath additive, Epsom salt can also be used as a remedy for many health conditions. Epsom salt has been used for centuries to treat ailments like arthritis and inflammation. Because of this use, it’s often referred to as “magnesium sulfate,” although it contains both magnesium and sulfate ions (the latter being an ionic compound). 

 The most common form of Epsom salt available today is sodium chloride, i.e., table salt. But this type of salt isn’t perfect for your skin or hair because it contains too much sodium chloride compared with magnesium sulfate (which has 2 grams per litre compared with 3 grams per litre). Nevertheless, Epsom salt is an excellent addition to foot soaks because it contains magnesium sulfate (often used as an anti-inflammatory agent) and other minerals like sulfur and trace elements such as iron, manganese and copper. When applied directly or dissolved in warm water, these minerals are absorbed through the skin. 

How to make an Epsom Salt Foot Soak at home: 

After a long day, when your feet deserve some pampering, there is no need to run to the spa for an appointment. Instead, you can make Epsom salt soak easily at home with few ingredients.  

Process: 

• Dip your feet in a basin full of warm water.  
• Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt. 
• To enhance the experience, you can add a few drops of lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint essential oils or dried lavender flowers. 
• Soak your feet for 30-60 minutes. 
• Moisturize your feet afterwards. 
• Repeat this twice a week. 

If you don't have essential oils, you can use Epsom salt infused with the flavour and goodness of essential oils, like Dr Foot's Peppermint Foot Soak. It contains tea tree, eucalyptus, and lavender oil to nourish foot skin and reduce muscle pain. 

Benefits: 

Epsom salt is a natural mineral used for centuries as a traditional remedy for various ailments. It is available as an over-the-counter medication, bath salts, or Epsom salts in stores. Epsom salt is manufactured from magnesium sulfate, mined from the same place as magnesium chloride (found in many household cleaners).  

The versatile use of Epsom salt soak is still unexplored. However, there is a wide range of benefits that it offers, which includes: 

1) Treating fungal infection: 

Epsom salt is a great medicine to treat any cuts, wounds, and infections, but be cautious with the usage and amount because it can also irritate the skin. 1-2 tsp of Epsom salt in a tub of warm water is enough. A foot Epsom salt draws the toxin out of the wound and helps soften the skin. For foot and toenail fungal infections, soak your feet at least twice a day for 20 minutes. For an effective result, you can dilute some tea tree oil with any carrier oil and put it in a salt soak. 

2) Exfoliating skin: 

Epsom salt is not a substitute for antibiotics but can be used with them to speed up their effectiveness. When used as a soak, Epsom salt acts as a gentle exfoliant that helps remove dead cells from the skin. This process can help reduce inflammation in an area of your body that has been inflamed for a long time. 

3) Improves blood circulation: 

Epsom salt soak is also helpful in reducing varicose veins. In fact, some doctors recommend soaking in a bathtub full of Epsom salts to help strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. In addition, the extra magnesium in Epsom salts helps relax muscles, relieving pain caused by arthritis or back pain. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, soaking in an Epsom salt bath can also help reduce inflammation throughout your body. 

4) Removing splinters: 

An Epsom Salt soak is a natural remedy for splinters. The minerals in the salt help reduce inflammation around the affected region. It will soften the area and help you remove the debris. 

5) Reducing stress: 

Epsom salt baths are also known for their relaxing effects on the body and mind. People who take hot baths often say they relax after bathing because of how comfortable the warm water feels against their skin and how nice it smells when they get out of the tub. 

 
Side effects: 

Magnesium sulfate naturally occurs in water, so there are no significant side effects of using this product. The only downside to using Epsom salt for healing wounds is that it can irritate them if not used carefully because it draws out toxins from your body. Sometimes if you use it in the wrong way, you can face a few discomforts like: 

• Skin inflammation 
• Skin infection 
• Open wounds 
• Severe burns